- So far, 10 individuals have been identified working under harsh conditions, without proper protective equipment, and earning below the legally established wage.
- The employer, the person who transported them to the farm, and the recruiter have been arrested on charges of violating workers’ rights.
- The Civil Guard has seized a van and extensive documentation related to the illegal activities under investigation.
Murcia, April 8, 2025. The Civil Guard of the Region of Murcia, in collaboration with the Labor Inspectorate of the Region of Murcia, has carried out an operation named ‘Jorke’ in the Campo de Cartagena area. The operation revealed that 10 foreign nationals were working on an agricultural farm without contracts, leading to the arrest of three individuals on charges related to workers’ rights violations.
As part of efforts to prevent and tackle labour exploitation, the Civil Guard coordinated with the Region of Murcia’s Labor Inspectorate to conduct inspections on agricultural farms within the municipality of Cartagena.
During one of these operations, officers detected 10 individuals who, upon noticing the police presence, attempted to flee. After identifying them, it was revealed that they were foreign nationals without work or residence permits.
Suspicion arose that a crime against workers’ rights might be taking place, prompting officers to interview the workers, with the assistance of an interpreter, as most spoke little Spanish.
The investigation uncovered that they were victims of an alleged criminal network involving three individuals: the recruiter, the person who transported them to the farms, and the employer, the latter a resident of Cartagena.
The two individuals based in Lorca had exploited the workers’ vulnerable situation, offering them wages far below the agricultural sector’s established rates.
The investigation revealed that, in addition to working without contracts, the workers were subjected to poor conditions and lacked the necessary protective equipment.
The ‘Jorke’ operation resulted in the arrest of three people on charges of violating workers’ rights, the seizure of the van used to transport the workers, and the confiscation of substantial documentation related to the ongoing investigation.
The 10 workers were provided with assistance and informed of their rights as crime victims in Spain.
The investigation remains ongoing.
